ND Chautauqua wraps up 2014 season

It was a beautiful night. The sun was out, the breeze refreshing and the people smiling as the annual Olde Tyme Family Picnic was held Tuesday evening at Roosevelt Park.

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By Harry LipsieaJournal Reporter

Devils Lake Journal - Devils Lake, ND

By Harry LipsieaJournal Reporter

Posted Jul. 11, 2014 at 6:46 PM

By Harry LipsieaJournal Reporter
Posted Jul. 11, 2014 at 6:46 PM

It was a beautiful night. The sun was out, the breeze refreshing and the people smiling as the annual Olde Tyme Family Picnic was held Tuesday evening at Roosevelt Park. Including the presentation of Unsung Heros awards, horse drawn wagon rides, supper and a performance by the Devils Lake Elks Band, the North Dakota Chautauqua event was a great time for all.

"It went really well," North Dakota Chautauqua President Jeff Frith said of the Tuesday picnic. "The weather was almost perfect, the program went well and the attendance was great."

As the final event of the season, the night turned out to be a nice wrap-up to a successful 2014 campaign for North Dakota Chautauqua. This year's schedule included events such as musical concerts, birding presentations, a theatrical performance, book talk and picnic.

"We try to bring different events that interest our members and the entire community each and every year," Frith told the Journal. "I think it was an excellent year for North Dakota Chautauqua."

One of the highlights of the 2014 schedule was a local performance of the national production, "Rachel Calof: A Memoir with Music." A joint effort between North Dakota Chautauqua, Sons of Jacob and the Lake Region Heritage Center, the show and subsequent events held throughout the week were a major hit in the community, he said.

"It was a resounding success," Frith commented. "I don't think anyone could have imagined it going any better."

As a whole the attendance for Chautauqua events was steady.

"Overall, the turnout was good," he stated. "There's always an event here or there that you wish the attendance was a little bit better. But as a whole, we were very pleased with how everything went. It was a great year."

It takes a lot of cooperation, effort and time for many to make events successful. Frith thanked the Chautauqua members, local businesses and community for all of their support in 2014.

"We really appreciate everything that the area has done to help make the events a success," he said. "All of that effort made this a spectacular year for North Dakota Chautauqua."